14th Street Pier Open House Draws Record 727 Visitors

With rows of surf rods overhead, trustee Dan Ladik, right, welcomes visitors into the Ocean City Fishing Club’s clubhouse during the 2014 Open House. The Ocean City Fishing Club has set a new record for the number of visitors coming to an open house at its clubhouse and pier at 14^th Street and the Boardwalk. During this year’s event on Thursday evening, (August 14), 727 men, women and children had an opportunity to tour the historic, 101-year-old club over a period of two and a half hours. They also dropped off more than 100 pounds of non-perishable food and cash donations for the Ocean City Ecumenical Council Community Food Cupboard. After President Paul Keuerleber welcomed them to the facility, other members gave briefings on the club’s history and took them on a guided tour of the pier. New Jersey Assemblyman Sam Fiocchi, left, and Cape May County Freeholder E. Marie Hayes enjoy the fresh air on the Ocean City Fishing Club’s pier with President Paul Keuerleber during the Open House on Thursday, August 14. At the end of the 635-foot pier, visitors saw surfcasting demonstrations by past president Bill Daley and his grandson, Tyler Daley. Many visitors snapped photographs of Martin Z. Mollusk, mascot of the City and Regional Chamber of Commerce, who was at the pier as part of Ocean City’s Family Nights on the Boardwalk. Although many of the visitors came from all over the country, more than a few were local residents. “I was born and raised in Ocean City,” remarked one woman, “and this is the first time I’ve ever been on the pier. This is great.” Last year the Fishing Club held three Open Houses to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of its founding. The largest number of visitors on any one evening had been 681 people. — News release from the Ocean City Fishing Club